FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — Charges against a Franklin man who was accused of impersonating and misrepresenting a member of the U.S. Army have been dismissed.

According to court documents, criminal charges against 26-year-old Javon Antonio Epps, of Franklin, were dismissed in the Venango County Court of Common Pleas.

The entire case against Epps on charges of impersonating and misrepresenting a member of the U.S. Army was dismissed on May 17, 2018, “for the reason that interest of justice would not be served,” court documents state.

Details of the case:

On April 18, 2018, an investigation was initiated on a reported “stolen valor” that had been turned in to the Venango County District Attorney’s Office, according to a criminal complaint.

The complaint states that Epps made an application to Rocky Grove Volunteer Fire Department, and on the application, he stated that he was employed by the U.S. Army, as well as having been employed by the Department of Defense Fire Protection.

The Franklin Police Department discovered that Epps was not a member of the Air Force National Guard and was signed up for Fire Protection but was discharged from the Air Force prior to completing the course, the complaint continues.

Authorities believed that Epps purposely misrepresented his service due to discharge circumstances from the Air Force and attempted to join the Rocky Grove Fire Department to obtain benefits from the department, according to the complaint.

The following charges were filed against Epps in on May 8, 2018, in Magisterial District Judge Patrick E. Lowrey’s office:

– Impersonating A Public Servant, Misdemeanor 2
– Misrepresentation of Member or Veteran of Military, Misdemeanor 3